An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt-offerings, and thy peace-offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in every place where I record my name I will come unto thee and I will bless thee.
God commands earth or unpolished stone precisely so these altars will crumble and vanish after the people move on, leaving no trace for posterity to worship. I marvel that commentators strain so hard for allegorical meanings when God's object was plain: remove the stumbling-block of permanent structures that breed superstition.
AI summary
God spoke to you from heaven itself, not as some prince condescending to beggars, yet you turn to silver and gold images as if He were absent or unknown. This is the sin He means to crush: you have seen no form, heard only His voice, and that very silence about His shape forbids you to make one. Keep communion with God by His word, not by idols.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 20:22-26
The altar of earth or rough stones symbolizes man's elevation to God on high; it must not be hewn, for the tool defiles it. The earth that lies under the curse of sin is to be renewed into God's kingdom not by sinful hands but by God's grace alone.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 20:24-26